The good news is, analysts say these bond issues won’t cost a cent in new taxes. In fact, the two taxing entities are expected to cut their property tax rates this year, even while asking voters to authorize these significant new debts on Nov. 6. The city of Houston also plans to cut its tax rate by 1/8th of a penny.

The bad news is, property values are up about 12 percent in all three of these taxing districts. The average Houston homeowner will probably pay more taxes to the county and the city than last year, unless they also live in Houston Independent School District.

HISD’s tax cut — mandated by the state Legislature a couple years ago — is large enough this year that some property owners in the district may not even notice they’re paying the city of Houston and the county more than they did last year.

With more property subject to tax in 2007, Houston’s local taxing entities are discovering they don’t need new taxes to finance their multi-million dollar wish lists. Growth in property value will foot the bills.

In public hearings earlier this month, Bettencourt urged city and county officials to lower their 2007 tax rates. In his analysis, the average Harris County homeowner would pay nearly 11 percent more in taxes this year without relief. A county resident with a Houston address would pay the city nearly 13 percent more than last year, his figures showed.

But Bettencourt’s argument did not fall on deaf ears.

Harris County commissioners were expected Tuesday to lower the county’s 2007 tax rate by 1 cent.

Joe Stinebaker, a spokesman for County Judge Ed Emmett’s office, said the tax cut “is the largest property tax rate cut that Harris County has ever passed.” It’s expected to reduce revenues to the county by $200 million over the next five years, he said.

The difference for the average homeowner in the county, whose property appraisal grew from $146,290 to $160,784 this year, will be less than $12 and still $62 more than last year.

In the city of Houston, the average homeowner’s appraisal went from $143,493 to $161,802, and the taxes — including the proposed 1/8 cent rate reduction — will go from $704.80 to $794.

The good news for taxpayers is the state Legislature’s mandated cut in school tax rates — most of which will be realized this year. In Houston ISD, the average homeowner can expect a bill that’s $298 lower than last year, according to Bettencourt’s office.

HISD’s tax rate for 2007-’08 will total $1.1567 per $100 of assessed valuation. Two years ago, before the Legislature stepped in to reduce school taxes statewide, HISD’s tax rate was $1.62 per $100; last year it was $1.4757.

So, add the increases to the decreases and the average Houston homeowner who also lives in HISD will pay $146 less in property taxes. Of course, that doesn’t include other taxing entities in the city, such as Houston Community College. And only part of it holds true for residents in Houston’s other incorporated towns or school districts.